Re: Computer tax set to replace TV licence fee ( Legal?)

On Sun, 02 Jul 2006 23:27:52 GMT, "Amanda Angelika"
<manic_mandy@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

In news:2miga2peh9voitac46dgk6qcbokpmojj5o@xxxxxxx,
Alex Heney <me8@xxxxxxxxxxx> typed:
On Sun, 02 Jul 2006 19:37:40 GMT, "Amanda Angelika"
<manic_mandy@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Computer tax set to replace TV licence fee
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1508650,00.html


A very stupid headline, since that was only one of several options
that *might* be looked at by 2017.


My question is would a taxation on computers and/or Internet access
contravene article 10 of the European convention on Human rights?


No. Of course not.

Computers and internet access are already taxed (VAT).

There's VAT on Pens, Paper and Ink to. Howver one doesn't need a special
licence to own a pen and paper or to use such tools. One already has an
inalianable licence to use such tools, or at least one should do in a
democratic society. What makes Computers and Internet access any different?


They are a lot more expensive, and they have many other uses.

Otherwise, nothing much.

But so what?

Who is saying they *are* any different?

You were not asking why *should* computers be taxed, you were asking
whether it would be legal to do so.

And the answer is that yes, it would.

Article 10 - Freedom of expression
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall
include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart
information and ideas without interference by public authority and
regardless of frontiers.

Whilst I understand this act has not been used successfully in the
abolition of the Licence in regard to Television sets because
European law also allows member states to licence broadcasting,
television or cinema enterprises. Surely when it comes to computers
and Internet access, whilst both may be used to consume
entertainment and limited broadcast material are primarily used as a
means of interactive communication where the user may in fact
express and create more than he or she may actually consume.

Surely any taxation of such a medium would in effect constitute a
tax of free expression and would fundamentally contravene European
human rights legislation as well as being completely against the
Interests of democracy in the UK whether real or illusionary.

Nope.

There is nothing in Article 10 which states that "freedom of
expression" must be "free of charge".

No but charging is a limitation which disenfrancises the poor and would in
effect removes basic human rights, making such rights comensurate to wealth.


Which they already are, to a much greater extent than is likely as a
result of such a measure.

If people can afford to buy a computer in the first place, they can
probably afford the licence. Most of them would have a TV set
(licensed) now anyhow.

Such imbalances exist in any case due to free market economics. In a
democracy part of a goverments role is to redress such imbalances. Othewise
why would one actuall need a Govenement at all?


Quite a few reasons.



Nor that specific media for expressing opinion in must be free.

No but generally in a democracy part of the governments role is to uphold
democracy itself to ensure that no one is disenfranchised from access to the
means of expression, freedom of speech and political discourse.

That is an argument.

It still isn't a good enough one for why tax on computers, or on
internet access, should be illegal.


Democracy is IMO far more important that the funding of the BBC, which as a
part of the establishment it could be agued is not entirely independent and
is an oracle of government propaganda and social manipulation.

I completely agree.

But that has nothing significant to do with the question.
--
Alex Heney, Global Villager
Some people approach every problem with an open mouth
To reply by email, my address is alexATheneyDOTplusDOTcom
.

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